A Civil Society Organisation, the Socio-Economic and Civic Rights Advocacy (SECRA) has faulted the extension of tenure of office of the state Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina, by the state government.
The CSO, in a statement issued by its Executive Director, Mr Olowu Emmanuel, alleged that the government’s action was illegal and called for an immediate review of the action.
The state government had extended the tenure of Aina after reaching the 60 years mandatory retirement age.
Aina, who was appointed the Head of Service by the state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, upon his (Adeleke) assumption of office as the Executive Governor of the state, clocked 60 a few years ago, but the governor approved an extension of tenure of office for him.
On Monday, the Head of Service celebrated his birthday, which was believed to be his 62nd, a development that raised concerns among residents of the state.
The SECRA, in its statement, queried the rationale behind the extension of tenure of Ayanleye’s tenure after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60, alleging that the action was against civil service rules.
Findings revealed that Aina was not the only top civil servant who benefited from the government’s action, as some other top civil servants, including Permanent Secretaries and General Managers, among others, enjoy similar gestures of the state government.
The statement reads in part, “In Osun State, the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke shall be remembered not for civil service reforms, but for actions that culminated in the unlawful extension of tenure of top civil servants, a decision that generated widespread controversy and deep institutional concern.
“By every standard of public administration, strict adherence to the rule of law and the Public Service Rules (PSR) is non-negotiable. Yet under Governor Adeleke’s leadership, decisions relating to tenure extension departed from these established principles, provoking alarm among civil society organizations, governance analysts, and career officers within the Osun State civil service.
“At a critical stage of Governor Adeleke’s administration, allegations emerged that he unilaterally extended the service years of certain senior civil servants, a move widely criticized as a clear violation of the Osun State Public Service Rules (PSR) and a serious breach of institutional norms. Despite public outcry and sustained criticism, the administration proceeded without addressing the legal concerns raised.
“Critics have consistently warned that these actions would leave a lasting stain on the administration’s governance record, long after Governor Adeleke exits office.
“The Osun State Public Service rules, in line with national standards, clearly state that: A civil servant shall retire upon attaining 60 years of age or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever comes first.
“Retirement processes are mandatory, time-bound, and non-discretionary. Extension of service is not an executive privilege, except where explicitly backed by law.
“These rules exist to protect order, fairness, meritocracy and predictability within the civil service. Any deviation from the rule, especially by executive fiat, raises serious questions about legality, propriety, and respect for institutions.
“It is on record that the Adeleke’s administration confirmed two major extension of service years involving powerful offices within the Osun State civil service:
“At no point did the Osun State Government publicly cite: An amendment to the PSR, Legislative approval, or any statutory instrument legitimizing the extensions.
“We see the action as a direct and indefensible breach of service regulations. We believe that due retirement processes were deliberately ignored.
“These developments reinforces accusations that the Adeleke administration selectively applied the rules, thereby weakening institutional discipline.It should be noted that the unlawful extension produced serious consequences, including erosion of institutional norms. Allowing officers to remain in office beyond retirement undermines the neutrality of the civil service and erodes respect for established rules.
“The unlawful extension of civil service tenure under Governor Ademola Adeleke is not a minor administrative lapse; it is a defining governance decision that will shape his administration’s legacy in history,” the group added.
